hula | Dog Eaters

Napualikolokelani @ Kinshicho

Posted on 04.24.19 under george holokai, Halau Napualikolokelani, hula, Junko Wong, Uncategorized

The George Holokai Lei Aloha Festival is a celebration of the legacy of George Kananiokeakua Holokai & May Day. He was very active with the May Day celebrations in Hawai`i for many years.

May 1st is celebrated throughout the northern hemisphere as a spring festival and is
usually a public holiday however, in Hawai`i it is called Lei day. A celebration by wearing a fresh flower lei and music, dance a pageantry. Festivities include a lei queen and her court, lei contests and music, dances of many the ethnicities that make up Hawai`i’s melting pot.

There are classes conducted in the making of pahu drums, ipu heke `ole & ipu heke, pounding tapa, pa`i ai, cooking Hawaiian food and lei making. Artisans from Hawai`i who carve wood, making luahala bracelets, coconut hats. A guest can learn to hula, dance a Tahitian ori, learn to twirl Maori poi, or tititorea, a Samoan sasa. There is even a holoku parade.

Napualikolokelani, under the direction of Junko Wong, danced for 30 minutes.

Lei and flower master, Umahana sensei, whips a hair ornament together.

Kunewa Mook, kumu of Hula Halau O Kamuela dances.

All Japan Hula Championships

Posted on 12.10.16 under Halau Napualikolokelani, hokulani holt, hula, Junko Wong

Junko’s halau, Hālau Nāpualikolokelani, danced two dances before the competition started. It was a “practice” for their upcoming competition in Ho’onanea Hula Competition and KuMaiKa Hula in 2017.

The judges from left: Kehaulani Kekua from Kauaʻi, Chinky Mahoe from O’ahu, Hōkūlani Holt from Maui. Hōkūlani Holt also served as Executive Director for this competition.

Backstage.

The competition was held at the Komazawa Olympic Gymnasium in Setagaya, Tokyo.

recording Ke Aloha/Nani

Posted on 02.25.16 under Ahumanu, hula, Napualikolokelani

There will be three soloists from Napualikolokelani entering Ho’onanea Hula Competition in Tokyo.

Ahumanu laid down tracks for one of the songs for the soloists at Anekona Studio.

The band rehearses harmonies. Junko is a quiet photobomb.

Bassist, Joni

Reiko sings low harmonies

Polishing harmonies.

Haruno takes 2nd place at Hula O Na Keiki!

Posted on 11.21.15 under Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi, Halau Napualikolokelani, Haunani Paredes, hula, Kyleigh Marie Hokuao Manual-Sagon, Nā Kumu ʻIliahi

Haruno Terayama of Napualiko Lokelani, under the direction of Junko Wong, took 2nd place in hula, oli (Hawaiian chant) and best auana costume and adornments and a $500 scholarship at the Hula O Na Keiki held at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel (the most Hawaiian of all hotels) on November 14.

The drive from Wailuku to the west side is scenic and pleasant — when it’s not rush hour. There’s only one road until you reach the Lahaina Bypass.

Surprisingly, it’s still not that widely used, but you can be sure that will change.

There was a rainbow when I got to the Kaanapali Beach Hotel on Friday afternoon after picking up leis at Hawaiian Air Cargo. The Napualiko team was already there, having spent the night in preparation for day one which started with Haruno’s interview with the judges.

Haruno danced a great kahiko — I thought it was the best, but I’m no judge.

The overall winner was a Maui girl, Kyleigh Marie Hokuao Manual-Sagon from Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi, under the direction of Nā Kumu ʻIliahi & Haunani Paredes.

The beautiful Haunani Paredes chanting.

Day two is Auana, the modern hula with live music. Ahumanu is led by Liz Morales on guitar.

Haruno in her auana dress, based on a dress in a 1939 issue of Vogue.

The competition team.

Haruno accepts her awards. It was a great night for her. Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi is one of the best and hottest halaus in Hawaii, now. Their dancers have won all of the major competitions. Finishing 2nd to them is a great honor!